Dogfighting. Willingboro, New Jersey. Man Jailed.

In case you haven't heard, truck driver Kevin McCaskill (37) of Willingboro, NJ was sentenced to three years in the state prison for dogfighting. He lives on Tower Lane where local police found paraphernalia consistent with dogfighting, items he claimed he used as a breeder. A breeder? Well, the dogs in his possession appeared to be in bad shape which was the very issue that led his neighbors to call the authorities. Five emaciated and injured pit bulls were found in outside pens in his yard plus blood-stained carpet and fighting ring boards were discovered in the basement. Stephen Eife, an assistant Burlington County prosecutor stated that equipment such as treadmills, collars, ropes and sticks were found inside the home in March 2007.

Sy Goldberg, deputy superintendent of the state Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, asked "Neighbors and public utility workers should take notice if they see four or five pit bull dogs in a yard and should contact us or the local animal control officer."

Citizens can call the state SPCA at (800) 582-5979.

We'll take what we can get because this guy could be out in 18 months. But there is more, McCaskill was assessed more than $17,000 in restitution and fines in both civil and criminal cases involving cruelty to animals and for illegal possession of drugs and a BB gun. He has reportedly paid the amount.

Once again. it was the civic action of neighbors that put an end to animal cruelty. We truly should look upon calling the police as an opportunity to do our part against animal cruelty. Heck, I am ready to call.